Greens call for refunds on bottles

The Green Party has called for the reintroduction of refunds for glass bottles as a means of reducing litter.

The party's tourism spokesperson, Mr Paul Gogarty, has called on the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, to reintroduce "money-.back bottles" and bring in a new refundable charge on cans.

"Similar systems are in operation in several European countries. People pay the charge and bring the empties back, where they get a discount on their next purchases," Mr Gogarty said.

He added: "Yes we need clean-ups, yes we need prosecutions, but we also need incentives to change behaviour.

"Instant money talks better than anything else in this regard."